Light 'received a fair offer which he refused'

[jmt57]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

I think it's interesting that the only thing we previously heard about Matt Light's contract was that the two sides agreed months ago to wait until there was a new CBA before working on a new deal. Now that we're apparently on the doorstep of a new CBA, news comes out that the Pats made an offer and Light turned it down?

If Light goes out, bright talent steps in - The Boston Globe

I realize those two things are not mutually exclusive - perhaps the two sides were negotiating, couldn't come to terms, and then both agreed to wait until the new CBA was in place rather than to continue negotiating. However, I do find it odd that we only find out now that an offer was previously placed on the table; there was zero indication that happened before.

So why is that information coming out now? Is it a way of prepping for negotiations between the two sides? Or is it the first part of a public relations campaign by the Pats? Perhaps they know that it is inevitable that they will soon lose one of their most popular veterans, and this is the first subtle message being sent out that they imply 'hey, we tried to sign; we wanted him back; we were on the up-and-up and made him a fair offer; don't blame us'.

Now I have no evidence to prove that is the case, but let's face it: over the years the Pats have taken a beating in the court of public opinion from the media and fans for letting several veterans go, and many of their contract negotiations with veteran players have become ugly. Besides the media and the fans, they may want to smooth things over with other players like Tom Brady if Light - let's not forget he's the team's player rep - is not coming back too. And I'm not saying they were wrong to let players like Vrabel, Vinatieri, McGinest, Law, Samuel or others leave; in fact, more often than not it turned out to be the right decision. I just think the organization has at times used the media for their benefit, and that the timing of this information - presumably just a few days before free agency starts and Light could be re-signed - is more than a coincidence.

 

[MassPats38]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

I agree "fair" is a subjective concept, so I am not going to bash Light for rejecting an offer viewed as "fair" by the team if that in fact is the case. I also believe the offensive line has benefited substantially from coaching, and much of the success has to do with coaching on how to block defenses far superior to any college defense. Maybe the new linemen can do the job, but I wouldn't count on it. Brady will likely pay the price for their on-the-job training if the Pats throw rookies on the line.

He is not perfect, but Light still can do the job and he knows how to work with the other linemen. I hope he stays while the new blood learns the game in the NFL. However, if he demands a contract that breaks the bank, then his insurance value is probably not worth the cost.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

"Light received what the Patriots considered a fair offer" is not new news. It is rehashing and recategorizing the reports from the time that they had preliminary discussions and both sides agree to wait until after the new CBA was agreed to.

 

[Triumph]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

We've put rookie tackles out there before. I think Solder will be the day one starter at LT and Vollmer at RT. Light will be gone.

They have.

But times have changed. Id hate to see Brady get killed while Solder learns on the job.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

This will likely be his last major contract in the NFL. I can't blame him for not taking the Patriots' offer. Other teams should value him more and make significantly better offers. No surprises here.

I guess this means that the whole cutting Kaczur thing is history then? He probably still won't restructure.

What Lifer said ... can't blame Light for going for the most he can get.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

What's a "fair" offer from Kraft? A nickel, a free shoe shine, and a parking space down at Jonathan City??????

I can't imagine spending time on a fan message board - let alone one devoted to the winningest team in the decade - essentially waiting for the opportunity to spew venom.

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

If Light goes out, bright talent steps in - The Boston Globe

Like some have said here, the Matt Light ship has already sailed in NE unless he does a 180 regarding his contract.

But, with approximately 7 weeks to go before the 2011 season, I think Vollmer will be playing LT unless Solder is just a phenom. Solder to RT.

Pats have already said that have no intention of playing Solder at RT..

 

[Patspsycho]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

If Light goes out, bright talent steps in - The Boston Globe

Like some have said here, the Matt Light ship has already sailed in NE unless he does a 180 regarding his contract.

But, with approximately 7 weeks to go before the 2011 season, I think Vollmer will be playing LT unless Solder is just a phenom. Solder to RT.

I'm sorry, maybe I missed something but this link doesn't seem to contain any information that Light declined a fair offer?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

I'm sorry, maybe I missed something but this link doesn't seem to contain any information that Light declined a fair offer?

"According to a source close to the negotiations, the Patriots made what they deemed to be a fair offer to Light before the lockout started. It was rejected"

Link is to page 2. Quote is from page one of the article.

 

[Joker]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

I can't imagine spending time on a fan message board - let alone one devoted to the winningest team in the decade - essentially waiting for the opportunity to spew venom.

sure you can...IF you're a near brain dead, crazed with jealousy, green miscreant with a rap sheet for rape,drunk driving, dead beat dadding,tripping,toe sucking,lying and hallucinating.

Just look at it this way...this clown is only here because the nice men in the white coats haven't found him and put a strait jacket on him yet.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

First, because the Pats considered it fair, it doesn't mean Light did.

Second, very few players signed deals before the lockout. Many didn't because they felt that maybe they might get a better deal post lockout with free agency looming.

In a normal off season, I doubt that Light would have accepted an offer prior to free agency. I do believe his first choice is to stay here and might even take a hometown discount, but I doubt he would take an offer from the Pats (which most likely would be modest and short term) with there being a chance that someone might grossly overpay because they are desperate for a LT and that is their missing piece for a Super Bowl run.

This strikes me as a Willie McGinest situation - Light expects (perhaps correctly) that some other team in need at LT will swoop in with a big offer.

While I expect the Pats would love to have him back they're unlikely to be the high bidder on a LT on the downside of his career.

It's tough to fault the Pats for not overpaying and tough to fault Light for accepting an inflated contract.

Hopefully Solder or Vollmer can get the job done if the Pats and Light can't reach an agreement.

 

[BradyFTW!]

So is this where we retroactively label him as a malcontent who was never about winning, à la Richard Seymour?

 

[spacecrime]

So is this where we retroactively label him as a malcontent who was never about winning, à la Richard Seymour?

Little Ronnie? Is that you? Daddy will be proud of this post. Now say something about Mankins holding up the CBA, and how dumb BB is for trading Bledsoe.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

sure you can...IF you're a near brain dead, crazed with jealousy, green miscreant with a rap sheet for rape,drunk driving, dead beat dadding,tripping,toe sucking,lying and hallucinating.

Just look at it this way...this clown is only here because the nice men in the white coats haven't found him and put a strait jacket on him yet.

Or if you are BabeParilli on boston.com. Yeesh.

 

[supafly]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

I still don't understand why you continue to make the premise that there is no way that Solder can start at the start of this season. There is just too much evidence that that is not going to be the case.

1. The personnel executive who stated he was the most pro ready OT in the draft, which is CLEARLY what BB thought when he picked him over guys like Costanzo and Cabrini.

2. I chuckle at the constant references about his lack of strength. He is now into his 5th month of dedicated strength training since his so called poor performance at the combine (which was, btw, remarkably similar to the strength numbers put up by Mankins and Light) He certainly isn't where he will end up, but he is MUCH stronger than when he was in Feb

3. As to being ready, Solder is going from being coached by a bad program in Colorado, to one of the top OL coaches in the the NFL. Dante has gotten players like a rookie Matt Light and a jag GRR to be superbowl starting OTs, getting guys like LeVoir and Kazcur ready to start at LT in the NFL, and transforming Volmer from a "drastic reach" to an OT that is about a year away from pro bowl status.

Solder could be the most physically gifted OLman Dante has ever coached. He seems to have a great attitude, and WANTS to be good. Why is it that so many fans think that some how Dante will NOT be able to get this kid ready to play early on????!!!! Is this the year, Dante suddenly forgets how to coach?

4. The whole "lockout will keep rookies from being impact players" dirge is a red herring. Think about it. Aside from being in a team organized off season weight program, what have they missed thus far. 5 or 6 OTA practices? Believe me they ALL have the play book. They all have heard the terminology at the BC practices. They ALL have had the ability to work this off season with personal strength coaches

5. The more I think on it the more it seems Light is a goner. There are simply too many teams out there who could use a guy like Light and have the money to overpay and still have it make sense. The Atlanta situation is a perfect example. KC has money to burn...and will have to make the increased salary FLOOR that is coming. Plus as to moving his family, a lot of guys "commute" and have their families not in the city they play in. And as to him losing off season and after football opportunities in NE, Light can easily spend the next 2 or 3 years elsewhere and come back to NE and still be a lifetime Patriot just like Law, Vrabel, etc.

Sure it hasn't been ideal, but to think that missing 5 or 6 OTAs means rookies won't be able to contribute is ridiculous. Just ask Jermaine Cunningham who missed over THREE WEEKS of actual TC and still managed to contribute from the first week.

Granted after this "compelling" defense of Solder as a starter, he might very well not be our opening day starter at LT. It could happen. I just don't think so. JMHO.

I have no idea who the hell you are talking about, because I haven't breathed word one on the matter before. Saying that 'I continue to make the premise' on the subject is just wrong.

Just to also remind you, I opened up with 'It's just my opinion of course....'---meaning...everyone has theirs, and this is simply my view.

As far as his strength/conditioning---again, I never mentioned a word about it.

For the record, I believe that Solder missed close to 15 OTA sessions, but I could be wrong. If you are confident in Solder starting from day one, and protecting our one and ONLY asset that will instantly stop us from any chance at the SB, then more power to you.

I am not 'bashing' Solder, by any means, and I agree that Dante will coach him up etc. I also think that there's a very good chance that he is blended in more, and that there's no extreme reason or pressure to start from day one.

Only time will tell--just don't act like all of the responses and reports that we've been hearing all off-season about "Light still being key to this upcoming year" is so extremely far fetched.....Yes, I believe he is gone, but the whole idea of him staying is so that Solder does not have to start as of day one.

I'm not claiming to be a freaking NFL GM, or even coming close to questioning any front office, 'AFC executives' that you bring up, Solder himself, or Bill Belichick. I was simply giving my view on what I believe, in a thread about the discussion.

 

[SanAngeloState]

Even if light comes back, he can't really play LT at any more than a mediocre level, so what are they missing with him leaving? He's another year older and he was kind of slow last year...and the year before. He plays guard for 4M a year or leaves. I doubt anyone wants to sign an aging guy like him for much anyway.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Even if light comes back, he can't really play LT at any more than a mediocre level, so what are they missing with him leaving? He's another year older and he was kind of slow last year...and the year before. He plays guard for 4M a year or leaves. I doubt anyone wants to sign an aging guy like him for much anyway.

He can't play the other 4 positions. BB even said it. I'm fine w. a 2 year deal. They prob would trade him after year 1.

 

[supafly]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

They have.

But times have changed. Id hate to see Brady get killed while Solder learns on the job.

Yes, this was my one and only concern. I am ecstatic with the pick, and couldn't agree more. I am the one who apparently looked 'foolish' by predicting a couple days before the draft that we would primarily go heavy offense, and that now was the time to take a decent talent/cheap backup QB. I expected some serious consideration for the O-line, and we went out and picked some nice prospects.

However, I see no reason or 'pressure' in the world to throw in someone who can better assist the team by learning, studying, and being casually blended in some live game reps first. I would not expect that to take very long, maybe 4-6 weeks (depending on injuries, etc), but if we are talking "Day one," then I am going to ask why???

What extreme benefit can it offer? Vollmer doesn't have to move over from RT?? Who really cares? If he is going to be the heir-apparent LT (which now looks incorrect, but many have stated) or at least some sort of backup plan at LT, then he can certainly do it.

Is it so that Solder can be ready quicker, and learn on the job experience? B/c if that's the reason, then I would ask at what cost??

I still believe that this decision will depend on the following variables:

1. Solder's 'game ready' status, and obviously--what the experts feel after TC

2. The situations of Kaczur, and possibly even Mankins (if Mankins is not here, then that will indeed make the L side of the line weaker)

3. Any possible negotiations with Light, or any possibility of a FA

 

[RayClay]

Re: Light recieved a fair offer which he refused

What's a "fair" offer from Kraft? A nickel, a free shoe shine, and a parking space down at Jonathan City??????

Actually, not that a troll would care, but Kraft was spending like a drunken sailor on big contracts before Belichick came in and lent some discipline to the contract process.

Bledsoe, Todd Rucci, Max Lane, Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy were some of the contracts that caused draft guru Joel Buschbaum to declare the Patriots the least likely team in football to succeed in 2001, by a poll of NFL insiders, due to huge contracts and poor prospects.

In other words, Kraft has been generous to a fault, in case you're wondering what I mean, and your insinuation is 100% wrong.

 

[Snake Eyes]

He can't play the other 4 positions. BB even said it.

Don't put any stock in anything BB says, Light might not be able to play Guard but I'm pretty sure he wasn't born as a tackle, he learned the position and I'll bet he can effectively learn the Guard position as well.

That said, I'm pretty sure BB understands the worth of disinformation, don't put any stock in what he says.